Strength evaluation of flake and spheroidal graphite cast irons using diametral compression test

AbstractThe diametral compression test also known as the Brazilian test is an old and unique method of measuring tensile strength of brittle materials owing to simple specimen geometry test conditions and quickness of testing. However, its practice in measuring the strength of the metals is quite limited. This work therefore attempts to apply diametral compression test with specimens of thickness to diameter ratio equal to 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 in determining the tensile and compressive strengths of Flake Graphite (FG) and Spheroidal Graphite (SG) types of cast iron. Cracks developed in the FG and SG specimens indicate that the failures were caused by tensile and shear stress respectively. In case of FG cast iron specimens at lower t/d ratio, the stress state becomes biaxial and influence of tensile stress was found to be higher than the compressive stress. Whereas the biaxial stress condition violates in SG cast iron specimens. The present work concludes the suitability of diametral compression test at any t/d ratio of FG cast iron specimens and only at lower t/d ratios of SG cast iron specimens

Seasonal influence on phenolic-mediated antihyperglycemic properties of Canadian sugar and red maple leaves using in vitro assay models

Red and sugar maple leaves collected in the summer and fall from Canada, were evaluated for phenolic content, antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activities variation. The phenolic contents of summer red maple leaves (RML-S) and summer sugar maple leaves (SML-S) were higher than red and sugar maple leaves collected in fall (RML-F and SML-F, respectively). HPLC analyses showed differences in phenolic compounds present in the SML samples compared to the RML samples. The extracts were assayed for yeast and rat α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Both results showed that SML-S extracts had the highest inhibitory activity which could possibly be attributed to the unique phenolics present therein. Milder effects were observed in terms of α-amylase inhibitory activity, with RML-F having the highest inhibitory activity. These results suggest that maple tree leaf extracts may have potential for phenolic-mediated α-glucosidase inhibition, relevant to type 2 diabetes management, with SML-S extract having the highest bioactivity

Evolution of Single-Particle Energies for N=9 Nuclei at Large N/Z

We have studied the nucleus 14B using the 13B(d,p)14B and 15C(d,3He)14B reactions. The two reactions provide complementary information about the negative-parity 1s1/2 and 0d5/2 neutron single-particle states in 14B. The data from the (d,p) reaction give neutron-spectroscopic strengths for these levels, and the (d,3He) results confirm the existence of a broad 2- excited state suggested in the literature. Together these results provide estimates of the sd-shell neutron effective single-particle energies in 14B

A phase 3 trial of luspatercept in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia

BACKGROUND Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia need regular red-cell transfusions. Luspatercept, a recombinant fusion protein that binds to select transforming growth factor β superfamily ligands, may enhance erythroid maturation and reduce the transfusion burden (the total number of red-cell units transfused) in such patients. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial, we assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, adults with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia to receive best supportive care plus luspatercept (at a dose of 1.00 to 1.25 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo for at least 48 weeks. The primary end point was the percentage of patients who had a reduction in the transfusion burden of at least 33% from baseline during weeks 13 through 24 plus a reduction of at least 2 red-cell units over this 12-week interval. Other efficacy end points included reductions in the transfusion burden during any 12-week interval and results of iron studies. RESULTS A total of 224 patients were assigned to the luspatercept group and 112 to the placebo group. Luspatercept or placebo was administered for a median of approximately 64 weeks in both groups. The percentage of patients who had a reduction in the transfusion burden of at least 33% from baseline during weeks 13 through 24 plus a reduction of at least 2 red-cell units over this 12-week interval was significantly greater in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group (21.4% vs. 4.5%, P<0.001). During any 12-week interval, the percentage of patients who had a reduction in transfusion burden of at least 33% was greater in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group (70.5% vs. 29.5%), as was the percentage of those who had a reduction of at least 50% (40.2% vs. 6.3%). The least-squares mean difference between the groups in serum ferritin levels at week 48 was −348 μg per liter (95% confidence interval, −517 to −179) in favor of luspatercept. Adverse events of transient bone pain, arthralgia, dizziness, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were more common with luspatercept than placebo. CONCLUSIONS The percentage of patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia who had a reduction in transfusion burden was significantly greater in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group, and few adverse events led to the discontinuation of treatment. © 2020 Massachusetts Medical Society